Discharged juror continues to cause a stir; trial hangs in the balance

By Debra Friedman, STAFF WRITER

Published 9:40 pm, Thursday, January 28, 2010

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Left to right, Angelo Ciullo, 25, and his father, Pasquale Ciullo, 55, both of Byram, are shown here in Greenwich police department photos. Both men are on trial for an incident which occurred on July 4, 2007 at their Byram Shore Road home involving a property dispute with day laborers who were working for a neighbor of the Ciullo's. Pasquale Ciullo is on trial for first-degree assault, three counts of unlawful restraint and one of weapons in a motor vehicle. Angelo Ciullo is on trial for two counts of unlawful restraint and one count of weapons in a motor vehicle. less

Left to right, Angelo Ciullo, 25, and his father, Pasquale Ciullo, 55, both of Byram, are shown here in Greenwich police department photos. Both men are on trial for an incident which occurred on July 4, 2007 ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Discharged juror continues to cause a stir; trial hangs in the balance

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STAMFORD -- A discharged juror's claim about questionable conduct by other jurors continued to shake up the assault trial of a Byram father and son Thursday at state Superior Court.

According to a brief filed by defense attorneys for Pasquale and Angelo Ciullo, former juror Meaghan Campbell called attorney Michael Fitzpatrick Wednesday night and told him she intentionally tried to get kicked off the jury because she did not approve of the behavior of other jurors.

Campbell claims jurors on the assault case, which revolves around a July 2007 incident on Byram Shore Road, already made up their minds about the case and referred to the Ciullos as "stereotypical Mafioso."

The revelations stalled the trial Thursday as the lawyers and the judge tried to figure out how to address the issue.

"The evidence suggests jurors have discussed the believability of a witness and have begun to form opinions about the verdict," Fitzpatrick said after renewing a motion for a mistrial. "The overarching duty of a jury is to be free from bias."

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The Ciullos are charged with numerous felonies for allegedly threatening two day laborers with guns during a dispute over a property line. Pasquale Ciullo is also charged with beating his female neighbor, Rose Pinchuk, with a shovel.